My Experience with Lone Star Transportation

For having had a few bad weeks as we're all prone to do, loads similar to what AZS and I just pulled together last weekend with some downtime (nearly 3 days waiting on escorts), and 4-6 days off at a time every 3-5 weeks.. I think all in all its not too bad. But, from my calculations, when I take out those times I was at home I averaged about 2400-2600, maybe a little more, if i'm close to accurate. I push hard but the load situation and downtime is out of my control in regards to what or where I pull and sometimes when I deliver.

And, no, I woke up in a great mood... but thanks for asking.

 

yup wanna compare mine? Probably not. 40K from Jan 27th to Apr. 27th, 85K from Apr. 27th to now. I go home every 4-5 weeks for 4-7 days.

 

I would EXPECT your numbers to be higher running OTR and staying out 4-5 weeks at a time, only being at home 1 day for each week you were out....but you've still only got me beat by 1080 miles per month on average. I'm home every night, off every weekend, and I don't work holidays....not to mention the days I take off for personal reasons, to put the truck into the shop, or the days when things are slow and there just isn't enough work to justify my starting up the truck. You spend more nights at home each month than I spend on the road each year....so why is it even close? It shouldn't be.

 

The real comparison should be pay, not miles.

 

Slightly random question, I am going after my cdl after the holiday is over and I was curious how much experience Lone Star requires. I'm in Austin, TX but I'm willing to go where I need to. Recently divorced and single and can spend all the time I want out working. Which is what I plan on. I'm either going to PTDI certified school in Waco (ATDS) or non PTDI school at ACC. Would save me over $1,000 going with ACC program, but if it helps me land a better job then there is no question I will spend the extra money on the PTDI certified school in Waco. I'm considering TMC as well. I know I got to put my time in before my options open up. Are you guys happy at Lone Star? Pay is not necessarily the only thing I'm focused on. But what could I expect at Lone Star? I have clean criminal and driving record. Im 28 and in good physical shape as I have run my own moving company for the last three years and wouldn't mind getting out of the truck to secure and tarp loads. Happy holidays and thanks for any replies!

 

You need at least a years experience before coming to Lonestar. TMC is a great start and, who knows, you could be happy there. Having that securement experience is a huge plus if you come to our side. I know their choosy though based on what i've read in who they pick up... but even if you have to get into another mega-carrier company first to get that OTR experience and do van or reefer its a start. Keep your nose, driving record, and CSA score low and it would be easy to come to us and just do our securement training in Houston. But, be sure that TMC would take you from that school before investing time. It would suck to go through all that and find out your limited on who would take you.

Me, personally, i'm very happy here and won't be going anywhere else. If you have to go through securement training I THINK it was .39/cpm... then when you hit level 0 its like .40/cpm. A few pages back we posted the going rates.. I just don't remember which page exactly.

 

Merry Christmas all.

 

Thank you sir! I appreciate the reply and will take to heart what you have mentioned. I have heard a number of happy guys who have been with TMC for 5-20 years and of course the guys who did not make it 1 month. Those 1 month guys only seem to post negative stuff and never take the time to write anything positive, tells me a lot about the individual. I have read a lot of great things about your company. So thank you again for your insight. I have made the decision to pay a little more and go with the PTDI school. I know TMC recruiters frequently go to their school along with several others carriers.

 

Just to help Mystikal out as I went through the load securement training and recently made Level 0, it's $.38/mile for a month then as long as you don't have any tickets, claims or accidents you're promoted to Level 0 after review and your cpm goes up to $.40. That month flies by. A part of orientation and all of securement training is included in the month of employment to be promoted by the way. So really it's 3 weeks of driving.

 

not sure but I think one year is required